April 11, 1997 - Vice president Al Gore toured parts of flood-stricken Minnesota and the Dakotas today. Joining him ... members of Minnesota's congressional delegation, FEMA representatives, and Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson. We reached Lieutenant Governor Benson in Breckenridge, where the river is expected to crest this weekend. Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson who spent the day touring flood ravaged areas along the Red River with vice president Al Gore. We reached her in Breckenridge. Sun 28-MAY 19:58:53 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
February 20, 1997 - Deng Xiaoping's simple funeral underlines the fact that, unlike his predecessor Mao, Deng's body will not be embalmed and put on display. Nina Tumarkin is a professor of history at Wellesley College in Massechusetts. She's the author of "Lenin Lives!" published by Harvard University Press.
February 18, 1997 - A Minnesota-Iowa border flap has erupted over a perceived slight to Iowa's largest city. Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson said during the weekend that Des Moines is dead. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad sought an apology yesterday, but it was rebuffed. Carlson later hedged on his remarks, noting that his wife is from Iowa and proud of her heritage. Des Moines mayor Arthur Davis has offered Governor Carlson a tour of his city, and Carlson is apparently considering the offer. James Lileks, a columnist with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, has been watching the situation.
February 17, 1997 - Jerrold Beyer, a professor of political science and law enforcement at Mankato State University, has been researching gangs in rural areas. First, he says, any statewide task force would need to find a way to share court and police data on juveniles without violating privacy laws. Second, officials need to keep in mind the difference between kids at risk and kids in gangs.
February 17, 1997 - Teens comment on teen smoking laws.
February 12, 1997 - Paul Wellstone is planning to retrace Robert Kennedy's tour of the South to focus attention on the plight of the poor. The tour is also prompting questions about whether Wellstone aspires to higher national office. Al Eisele says Wellstone's candidacy would probably be met with surprise on the hill. Eisele is editor of "The Hill," a political newsletter in Washington D.C. He also served as an aide to Vice President Mondale.
February 6, 1997 - Ellen Bravo is the executive director of 9 to 5, national grassroots organization that helps working women fight for economic justice. She's also the co-author of the "9 to 5 Guide to Combatting Sexual Harassment". We asked Bravo what kinds of complaints her office gets about sexual discrimination in media organizations: Ellen Bravo is the executive director of 9 to 5, based in Milwaukee. Tomorrow morning on Midmorning, Paula Schroeder hosts a call-in on harassment in the workplace. That's tomorrow at 9:00 on MIDMORNING. Sun 28-MAY 20:51:50 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/1
February 6, 1997 - One of Minnesota's most visible personalities, WCCO TV Anchor Colleen Needles, is accusing station officials of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment. Needles also says her supervisor retaliated when she complained internally. General Manager Jan McDaniel says station officials acted honorably, made every effort to address Needles' concerns, and believe her accusation is without merit. The story was well-covered by all the competing stations last night, and wound up on the front page of both dailies today. Dave Nimmer teaches journalism at the University of St. Thomas. He worked at W-C-C-O T-V for many years. We asked him if the other media overplayed the story.
February 5, 1997 - Some residents in Northeastern Minnesota are fed up with the legislatures's slow movement on deer feeding. They're taking matters into their own hands and launching private deer feeding efforts.
February 4, 1997 - Minneapolis officials are hoping to increase the state sales tax in the Twin Cities to expand the Minneapolis Convention Center and bolster mass transit. But the proposal faces a tough fight. Governor Carlson's chief of staff, Morrie Anderson, says convention center backers should prepare to compete for state bonding support because Carlson opposes raising the sales tax. In fact, the Governor vetoed an expansion plan last year. John Labosky formerly headed Minneapolis' downtown council, so he's familiar with the fight. Now he's with the capital city partnership in St. Paul.